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New “Thor” ride will be on the State Fair Midway in 2026 to offer up thrills and chills to those who ride it.<\/p>\n
Handout\/State Fair of Texas<\/p>\n
The State Fair of Texas<\/a> is set to kick off its annual run Friday and will offer two new rides this year that will jostle, lift and thrill riders.<\/p>\n Fair officials say the new rides, named \u201cThor\u201d and \u201cImpact,” will complement the existing ride line-up.<\/p>\n \u201cFor 140 years, the Midway has been a beloved part of the State Fair of Texas experience,\u201d said Taylor\u00a0Pulfer, communications director for the fair. \u201cPart of what makes the State Fair Midway special is the mix of iconic attractions and high-energy thrill rides.\u201d<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Fair officials describe Thor as \u201cone-of-a-kind.”<\/p>\n Related: Say howdy to these new additions at this year’s State Fair of Texas<\/a><\/p>\n The pendulum-based ride rockets riders up to 86 feet off the ground as passengers rotate, while the individual rows of seating perform continuous 360-degree vertical flips. According to\u00a0Pulfer, this is the only ride of its size and kind that currently operates in the U.S.\u00a0<\/p>\n “Impact” is a new ride making its debut at the 2026 State Fair of Texas.<\/p>\n Special\/State Fair of Texas<\/p>\n Impact rotates its central column, elevation and lowering of the arm up to nearly 30 feet in the air while its suspended cars swing to and fro. Fair officials said the ride was designed for \u201cthrill-seekers.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n These new rides will take their place alongside the Midway\u2019s current lineup, which includes the historically popular attractions Love Bug, Pirate Ship and Crazy Mouse \u2013 all fan favorites from last year, according to park officials.<\/p>\n Related: Tiny fairgoers, big fun: Family-Friendly things to do at the State Fair of Texas<\/a><\/p>\n The State Fair Midway offers over 70 rides, including popular attractions such as the Top o\u2019 Texas Tower, which offers a city view of downtown\u00a0Dallas, and the iconic Texas Star Ferris Wheel, said to be the largest in the state.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cFor many Fairgoers, favorites like the Texas Star and Texas Skyway are traditions they return to year after year,\u201d\u00a0Pulfer said. \u201cWhile others come looking for the newest and most thrilling experiences.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Related: Do you go to the State Fair for the food, the music or the attractions?<\/a><\/p>\n Unlike many of their counterparts, the State Fair of Texas operates an \u201cindependent Midway\u201d \u2013 a method of operation that allows it to use different thrill ride operators while cherry picking rides from different providers. The approach aims to create a diverse mix of attractions each year for North\u00a0Texas fairgoers, organizers said.\u00a0<\/p>\n The fair also includes safety in its selection process, according to officials.<\/p>\n Ride owners conduct what\u2019s known as non-destructive testing, or\u00a0NDT, that ensure the rides meet safety requirements. Fair safety inspectors will then review those test results. Independent safety inspectors also test the rides before opening day and conduct spot checks during the fair\u2019s 24-day run.<\/p>\n State Fair aims for affordability<\/p>\n Fairgoers will also notice new ride costs for many rides and games at this year’s event after complaints about the costs<\/a> last year for Midway rides and games went viral on social media. \u00a0<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
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